The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the long-abandoned Aboabo Super Market and Shea Nut Market Complex in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.
The market project, initiated during the regime of General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in the early 1970s, has remained unfinished for decades, blighting the city’s commercial landscape.
The two-storey complex comprises 92 lockable stores and a supermarket block containing 120 shops.
Mr Ayariga gave the assurance during a working visit to the facility in Tamale yesterday to inspect its current state. He was in the region to inspect ongoing government projects.
He was accompanied by the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Ali Adolf John Mburidiba; the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Sayibu Alhassan Suhuyini; and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the region.
Addressing traders at the market, Mr Ayariga assured them that no one would be evicted or displaced under the planned redevelopment and modernisation of the facility.
He said the government intended to complete the existing structure rather than demolish it, adding that the finished complex would provide more trading space and stimulate commercial activities in the northern part of the country.
He explained that the intervention was part of efforts to promote economic development in the region and address concerns raised by traders about the future of the market.
“I remember in 2024 during the campaign, I visited the market with President John Dramani Mahama, where a pledge was made to complete the uncompleted structure for the good of Tamale and its environs,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said the latest engagement with the traders was part of efforts to fulfil that promise and ensure that the facility served its intended purpose.
He reiterated that the government had no intention of displacing traders or demolishing the existing structure.
Instead, he said, completing the project would improve trading conditions, expand access to commercial space and create more business opportunities for traders in Tamale and beyond.
He assured the traders that the government was committed to working diligently to improve the country’s socio-economic development.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Ali Adolf John Mburidiba, commended the traditional authorities and market leaders for the warm reception accorded the delegation.
He urged the traders to cooperate with the government and the relevant authorities to facilitate the completion of the complex.
Mr Mburidiba stressed the importance of collaboration among the government, traditional authorities, market leaders and traders in addressing challenges associated with development projects.
He encouraged the market community to continue engaging constructively with the authorities to ensure that their concerns were taken into account as work progressed.
He said completing the Aboabo Market complex was expected to provide additional trading facilities, while improvements to the road network would enhance accessibility and facilitate commercial activities across the region.
BY YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, TAMALE
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